Donald Findlay QC said legalising narcotics such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis was the only way to "break the link" between users and dealers.

The advocate also attacked politicians and the Scottish Executive for failing to get to grips with the problem of drug abuse, accusing them of fostering a "tough on crime" image rather than looking for radical solutions.

Since the mid-1980s we have had drug offences. It is now more than 20 years on and the problem is continuing to grow.